Why preventive care is important

Remember the old saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? This can be especially true when it comes to preventive health care. Maintaining or improving your health is important - and a focus on regular preventive care, along with following the advice of your doctor, can help you stay healthy.

Dimercaprol

Oct 18, 2004 Viewed: 201

Dimercaprol injection

What is dimercaprol injection?
DIMERCAPROL (BAL in Oilreg;) treats arsenic, mercury, gold, and lead poisoning. It should be used within 1 or 2 hours after exposure to the poison. Dimercaprol was developed during World War II in an attempt to discover an antidote to a war gas containing arsenic. Generic dimercaprol injection is not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive dimercaprol?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

an unusual or allergic reaction to dimercaprol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?
Dimercaprol is for injection into a muscle or into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with dimercaprol?

auranofin

aurothioglucose

iron salts

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving dimercaprol?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

choking, or pain in the throat or chest

fever

headache

increase in saliva

pain or irritation at the site of injection

seizures (convulsions)

sweating

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

burning sensation of the lips, mouth, throat, or penis

eye irritation or inflammation of the eyelids

nausea, vomiting

painful sensations in the teeth

runny nose

stomach pain

unpleasant breath odor

watery eyes (tears)

What should I watch for while taking dimercaprol?
Your condition will be monitored closely while you receive dimercaprol.

Do not take with iron preparations. Iron can cause serious damage to your kidneys when taken with dimercaprol.

Your prescriber or health care professional may give you instructions to make your urine basic by eating or drinking certain foods or drinks. Follow these instructions carefully.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.

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